41 Students from 17 Countries Attend Annual Cross-Cultural Retreat

Monterey Institute students at the 5th Annual Cross-Cultural Retreat in Big Sur. Photo by Xian Ren.

October 17, 2011 - 12:00am

It’s hard to think of a more inspiring setting for a day of structured intercultural activities than the natural beauty of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in the fall. Every year Professor Peter Grothe invites students in his popular course in intercultural communication—as well as students from all degree programs at MIIS—for an all-day retreat in Big Sur.

This year 41 students from 17 countries and four continents, speaking 26 languages, participated in the event. The day was filled with a variety of cross-cultural activities and exercises, as well as a hike among the ancient Redwood trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The event ended with a celebratory dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

This is the fifth year Professor Grothe has hosted the cross-cultural retreat at Big Sur. He reports “The feedback strongly suggests that not only do the students learn a great deal about other cultures represented at the event, but also that it supports efforts at community-building at MIIS.”

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